Proceedings of the Second Arheoinvest Congress.

INTERACTIVE 3D MODEL VIEWING USING WORD AND POWERPOINT

APPLICATIONS
Octavian CIOBANU

„Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iaşi; Romanian Inventors Forum. Email: oct.ciobanu@gmail.com,

Abstract. Common computer applications like Word and PowerPoint allow users to view all external and internal
surfaces of 3D virtual objects, to experience object editing functions like rotations, zooming and panning, to watch
animations and to practice slicing tasks in real time. Interactivity of these applications may help improve observation of
different details from outer and inner surfaces of 3D virtual artifacts. The paper describes all steps from 3D model
construction to 3D model interactive viewing using Word and PowerPoint. Interactivity was obtained using the Deep
Exploration software for creating and delivering virtual products. Presented solution is an interesting tool for 3D
model interactivity that can be used for presentations, training materials, virtual exhibitions and technical
documentations.

Keywords: interactivity, viewing, 3D models, Word, PowerPoint.

1. Introduction The problem of interactive 3D model viewing

Artifacts in archaeology are often fragile,
damaged or incomplete. To overcome this
problem, computer aided technologies are being
used. Objects can be scanned on site and data
transferred or stored for later processing. The
possibility to create 3D replicas of artifacts
constitutes a great advantage for archaeologists.
The main applications of the virtual
reproduction in archaeology are:
 3D virtual reconstruction of artifacts;
 3D restoration (reconstruction of lacking
parts);
 3D replica fabrication through
CAD/CAM and Rapid prototyping
techniques;
 Virtual storage, virtual collections and
exhibitions.
3D modeling could be extremely powerful to
improve identification, monitoring,
conservation and restoration. 3D techniques can
give accurate measurements and allow
reproducing accurate digital replica of artifacts
that can be studied, measured and displayed
being useful for public use and for virtual
restoration and conservation.
has received large interest in the computer
graphics and vision communities (Gibson et all
2003, Ciobanu, Tornincasa 2009). Today,
interactivity of 3D virtual models is possible by
means of a lot of commercial software.
The paper describes an application made with
Deep Exploration software which has next
characteristics: users can view in Word or
PowerPoint all external and internal surfaces of
3D reconstructed objects, experience object
editing functions like rotating, zooming and
panning, watch animations and practice slicing
tasks in real time.
In this application, the author of the Word or
PowerPoint document needs the assistance of
the Deep Exploration (licensed) software. The
readers of the Word or PowerPoint documents
need only freeware software called Deep View.
2. Material and Method
Work phases of 3D virtual model viewing using
Word and PowerPoint applications are
presented in Figure 1:
.
 Figure 1. Work phases in 3D model viewing using Word and PowerPoint

A lot of different techniques can be Prototyping techniques (Ciobanu, Ciobanu

approached with 3D scanning. Each technique 2011).
has its own advantages, limitations and costs.
Most known 3D scanning techniques use: 3. Results
 Laser scanners;
 Scanners with structured light; 3D scanning of the object was performed with
 Photo-based scanners; the Artec MH 3D scanner with structured
 Contact Measuring Machines (CMM); light and video camera. 3D reconstruction of
 CT-Scanning devices; the virtual model was performed with the
 MRI - Scanning devices Axon software, available with the Artec
 3D ultrasound devices; scanner. The Axon software saves the 3D
model in stl or obj format (Figure 2).
 Radio frequency devices; the
millimeter wave is transmitted to
objects or bodies and the reflected
energy is used to reconstruct a 3D
virtual image.

The application made for the demonstration

of the interactivity of 3D models in Word and
Power Point is based on the 3D scanning with
structured light.
For interactivity functions, the Deep
Exploration (licensed) software was used. Figure 2. Original object (left), 3D reconstruction
mesh (center) and final 3D model (right)
Deep Exploration (CAD Edition) enables
users to create, modify, visualize and deliver
After reconstruction, the 3D model (Figure 2)
virtual products and collaborate more
has to be imported in Deep Exploration
effectively. One of the main characteristics of
software and then saved in rh format, specific
this software is the ability to convert more
to all Right Hemisphere packages (Figure 3).
than 50 3D and 2D CAD formats into
accurate 2D or 3D product graphics.
Also, the software transform, applies
interactivity, and visualize 2D and 3D product
graphics and documents on the desktop using
engineering CAD design data transferred
from other applications and other digital
content. Main interactive functions of Deep
Exploration are: 3D rotating, zooming,
panning and sectioning after x, y and z axes.
All these interactive functions are transferred
to Word and PowerPoint through a free player
called Deep View. Virtual 3D modeling
allows producing accurate digital replica of
artifacts through CAD/CAM or Rapid
Figure 3. Deep Exploration interface and the 3D model
Next step is to load the free Deep View
software, called viewer or player in a
computer which uses Word and PowerPoint
software. Figure 4 shows some of Deep View
capabilities after opening rh files.
Interactivity functions appear on the right side
of the interface.
Interactivity is performed using only the
mouse and choosing: rotation, zoom (mouse
wheel), pan or section by clicking buttons
from the right side. The slicing plane can be
moved through a 3D model along the x, y,
and z axes and also by rotating the plane
(Figure 4 right). Also measuring distances is
possible in Deep View and in Word.
In the last step, the 3D object saved in the rh
format has to be inserted or opened in Word
or PowerPoint (Figure 5). 3D Files in rh
Figure 4. Deep View interface: inserting 3D (left) and sectioning (right)
Figure 5. 3D insertion in Word (left) and rotating (right)
format can be inserted into documents in two
modes. The mode in which a file is inserted
depends on the type of application. For
PowerPoint and Word, the file is inserted in
the Image mode with the active area
determined by controls. Even in Excel, the
file may be inserted in the Interactive mode
which is optimized for viewing. Files can be
opened by dragging from Windows Explorer
or from Deep Exploration into an open
document in Word applications.
After inserting the 3D model, user needs to
click on visible buttons or to right click over
the model to open a window with different
functions. After choosing Display and
selecting Auto Rotate (Word 2010) the model
starts to rotate automatically if is dragged by
the mouse.
 Figure 6. 3D model insertion in Power Point
Figure 7. Measuring in Word (left) and 3D sectioning in Word (right).
For PowerPoint, files can be opened in the
same way as in Word or by dragging files
from Windows Explorer or from Deep
Exploration into an open slide. Same
interactivity as in Word is available (Figure
6). As a characteristic, interactivity is active
only in Slide Show mode.
4. Discussion
User–computer interaction was the focus of
the first definitions of interactivity and of
ergonomic evaluations of interfaces. To be
interactive, software or interface must be
responsive to users' actions and expectations.
Researchers might consider not only to try to
develop better software, but also 3D tools that
can improve 3D models visibility in different
applications in education, industry, medicine,
cultural heritage etc. (Ciobanu, Ciobanu,
Tornincasa 2009, Ciobanu 2004, Zhu 2012,
Wang et all 2011)
Interactivity permits full 3D views of artifacts
that can be controlled through computer
mouse.
3D models of artifacts can be rotated and
viewed from all sides and even in sections
(Figure 7 right) in software like Word and
PowerPoint and using auxiliary software
Deep Exploration and Deep View or other
commercial software.
Another capability in this approach is the
measurement tool furnished by Deep View
that allow measuring the distance between
two objects of a scene or in the case of a
single object, the distance between an object's
faces, arcs, and vertices (Figure 7 left). These
measurements can sometimes replace the
need for 2D drawings.
Using PowerPoint presentation users can
demonstrate an interactive three-dimensional
model of every object that every potential
collaborator might rotate and view from
different sides as if it was real.
The advantages of these presentations are low
cost and high speed of production and at the
same time, the quality of the image.
Using interactivity, surface unfolding of
artifacts can be avoided in some applications.
All unfolding methods distort the non-
Gaussian surfaces. Depending on the purpose
of the surface unfolding, some distortions are
acceptable and others are not.
Interactivity and sectioning may be an
alternative to surface unfolding of artifacts.
5. Conclusions
Using the resources provided and explained in
this paper, it is feasible to embed 3D models
right inside Word or in any PowerPoint slide,
and to interact with 3D models without
interrupting the presentation.
Also, interactivity based on cross sectioning
of artifacts allows to view the inside parts of
an object or to exclude some of an object's
geometry.
Presented solution is a useful tool for 3D
model interactivity that can be used for
presentations, training material, technical
documentation and virtual catalogues or
exhibitions. 3D tools can improve 3D models
visibility in different applications in
education, industry, medicine, cultural
heritage etc.
The advantages of these interactive
presentations are the affordable cost, the high
speed of production and at the same time, the
quality of the image.

References

Gibson, S., Hubbold, R., Cook, J., and Howard, T. 2003. Interactive reconstruction of virtual environments
from video sequences. Computers and Graphics 27, 2, 293-301

Ciobanu, O. and Tornincasa, S. 2009. The use of dynamic interactive 3D images of biomedical devices in
education, Proceedings of IV 09, The Second International Conference in Visualization (editor IEEE
Computer Society), Barcelona, 15-17 July, 2009, pp. 40-43

Ciobanu, O., Ciobanu G., 2011. CAD/CAM and Rapid Prototyping technologies in Medical Engineering,
Buletinul IPI, Sectia Stiinta si Ingineria materialelor, Tomul: LVII, fasc.3, may 2011, pp 23-30

Ciobanu, O., Ciobanu, G., Tornincasa, S. 2009. Web based learning and training in the field of the enterprise
product lifecycle using 3D technologies, e-Learning and Software for Education Conference, Bucharest,
eLSE , pp 357-364

Ciobanu, O. 2004. Reconstructia grafica a suprafetelor anatomice (Romanian). Revista medico-chirurgicala,

vol. 108, Nr.4, pp.920-923

Zhu, Z., 2012. Mutual Information-based Depth Estimation and 3D Reconstruction for Image-based
Rendering System. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Hong Kong

Wang, C., Zhu, Z., Chan, S.C., Shum, H.Y. 2011. Realistic and Interactive Image-based Rendering of
Ancient Chinese Artifacts using A Multiple Camera Array, pp. 2801-280